My setting is above yours!

Chapter 7 Wanted Order

[Temporary Setting: Ability Model - Vector Manipulation (Out of Control)]

A vector is a physical quantity that has a direction.

The "direction" at the physical level is now up to you.

"I will distort vectors, alter reality... and steer the course of history back on track!"

—A real-life hacker, the "all-powerful" Atina.

[Upon loading this setting, you will possess the ability model of "vector manipulation," allowing you to manipulate the direction of all vectors you come into contact with (including momentum, light, electromagnetic fields, etc.), the effects of which are limited to your personal reality.]

Vector... manipulation?
What ability would allow me to control all directional changes at the physical level?

No wonder these things floated up in that instant...

Did I directly reverse the direction of gravity the moment I activated my ability?

—No, this ability can't hold up any longer; we can't let these things float any longer.

Otherwise, once their abilities cease, these things will definitely be smashed to pieces.

These test tubes and beakers are brand new! I've only used them once, and I can return them tomorrow without giving a reason, so I can't afford to drop them...

Thinking this to himself, Ron rubbed his temples, trying to suppress the wave of dizziness washing over him, and attempted to use the power that had permeated the entire room to properly set down the floating objects.

But things weren't as wonderful as he had imagined.

He tried to reverse the gravity, but felt as if his abilities were being obstructed as if he were moving through the deep sea, without the smoothness he felt when using telekinesis.

It wasn't just the sluggishness and obstruction in the operation of his abilities... Ron even found it difficult to control the effects caused by using his abilities themselves!
He tried his best to reverse gravity with his own will, but he couldn't catch anything...

"Snapped!"

Instantly, the previously neutralized gravity returned and was noticeably strengthened—

The newly purchased test tubes and beakers were thrown to the ground as if they had been hurled, shattering with a series of loud cracking sounds.

In that instant, the dizziness surged even more intensely, and Ron felt a distinct stinging pain in his head.

Touching my forehead, I found it was already a little warm...

He knew why.

It's a computing power overload.

In Ideal City, there are always people whose computing power is insufficient to support the developed capability models, causing overload on computing power and damage to the brain when using capabilities.

They will therefore cut off their potential for real-world personal growth and forget their competency model—

They might even have their brains burned out, resulting in paralysis or death!
Surprisingly, even Lv.2 computing power couldn't support the operation of this capability model, and it was completely powerless to control it...

Ron leaned back on the sofa, closed his eyes, and tried to calm himself down and stop calculating the ability model.

After calming down for a long time, the obvious stinging sensation in Ron's head gradually disappeared, and he could only vaguely feel a little pain.

Touching his forehead, his body temperature had returned to normal.

Only then did Ron open his eyes and look at the Dimensional Update Manual—

A bright red warning message appeared early on after the setting "Vector Manipulation (Out of Control)":
[WARNING! Your personal reality is unable to support this setting, therefore this setting will collapse within a certain period of time. The collapse time is determined by the strength of your personal reality.]

[Warning! Because your computing power is insufficient to support the operation of this ability model, "Ability Model - Vector Manipulation" is out of control.]

You can only control this ability to a certain extent, and you cannot use the full capabilities of this model.

A plot hole?

Ron then noticed that when he calmed down, the complex ability model in his mind had gradually become blurred and he could no longer remember it.

My newly awakened ability is gone?
His heart skipped a beat, but he quickly found the explanation in the manual.

The setting "[Temporary Setting: Vector Manipulation (Out of Control)]" was marked as "Broken".

This temporary setting has broken. You will reactivate this setting when you lose control of your ability model.

As expected, such abilities couldn't be acquired so easily...

Ron was a little disappointed, but looking at the reminders in the manual, he realized something was wrong.

[Vector Manipulation] is indeed a temporary setting that can break down, but according to the manual, it is actually closely related to an individual's real-world strength...

In other words, if Ron's personal reality becomes powerful enough to support [Vector Manipulation],

So, would the collapse time of vector manipulation be extended indefinitely, equivalent to Ron having complete control over it?

At that time, will Ron's worthless telekinesis truly transform into vector manipulation?
Thinking of this, Ron's gaze suddenly became intense.

He breathed a sigh of relief; the joy overshadowed the lingering throbbing in his head, and he couldn't help but grin.

This is truly... an unexpected gain.

Ron found it hard to believe that he could gain such an ability simply by improvising a combination of ideas on a whim.

The [Vector Manipulation] ability model has demonstrated strength beyond imagination!
The computing power of Lv.2 was insufficient, and Ron even suspected that the computing power of Lv.3 was barely enough to allow the ability model to run...

After all, he had just been unable to control even the slightest exertion of this ability.

Just trying to influence these floating objects in the room and change the direction of their gravity caused a computational overload, almost burning out my brain.

Clearly, his computing power model is comparable to those so-called "original stones" who are born with knowledge... or even more powerful!
However, this is not the most important thing.

Most importantly, the ability of [Vector Manipulation] is extremely rare!
In Ideal City, superpowers have existed for who knows how long, and we have long since entered an era where everyone is extraordinary.

Ability models have long been roughly divided into different categories. Many abilities, like telekinesis, have no research value, no room for improvement, and are everywhere.

But there are always geniuses who will stand out among the many users of telekinesis, a plethora of abilities.

They are exceptionally gifted, unconsciously constructing complex ability models from birth, and are known as "Original Stones".

From the very first moment they came to know the world, they possessed a power model comparable to that of Lv.3 and Lv.4 ability users.

Its abilities are extremely rare, and its research value and potential for advancement are beyond imagination, capable of influencing almost the entire Ideal City.

...Ron's [Vector Manipulation] is the rarest among these "Original Stones"!
Unfortunately, he can only temporarily control this ability now, and there is even a high probability that his computing power will be overloaded.

They can't be considered true vector manipulation users at all.

As he pondered, he suddenly felt the faint stinging sensation in his head disappear.

Did you fully recover after only resting for ten minutes?

"Could it be that……"

Ron seemed to be deep in thought, and then a smile appeared on his lips.

Clearly, while the cost of this ability is not small, it is bearable.

Why doesn't he consider using that power again at the appropriate time?

—Take the college entrance examination for example.

The ability rating issue that Ron was worried about before is no longer a problem in the face of [Vector Manipulation].

After all, vector manipulation and telekinesis are completely different things.

A user with the ability of [Vector Manipulation]... his value is almost unimaginable!
Because among those eleven Lv.5s standing at the pinnacle of Ideal City, there is one who is similar to [Vector Manipulation]—

【Gravity Control】.

His real name is unknown; only this name has been passed down since the founding of Ideal City.

As a gifted gem, he developed his own abilities and, through researching these abilities, developed the technology of "anti-gravity engineering"...

The "anti-gravity project" is the most important cornerstone for the ideal city to conquer nature, cover half the planet, and become a global metropolis!
This Level 5 superpowered individual then went into seclusion, remaining unknown for a century. It is said that he amassed an inexhaustible fortune through patent fees from his "anti-gravity engineering."

It's quite possible that the unassuming old man collecting rent, dressed in shorts and flip-flops, carrying a large bunch of keys, who brushes past you on the commercial street in Area A, is this very person.

Some say that he is actually the CEO of Xumi Real Estate, and that through his ability and technology, he has led the company to occupy half of the Ideal City real estate market...

Various legends surround him, and no one knows what he looks like in reality, but everyone has one unified perception of him—

He possesses an extremely powerful and rare superpower.

He used this ability to influence the establishment of the entire Ideal City, and can be called the "Father of the Ideal City".

And Ron's [Vector Manipulation]...

Clearly, it's the same type of ability as his!
Even if Ron can't reach such a limit, even if he'll never be able to touch the threshold of Lv.5 in his entire life...

Ron can also use this setting during the college entrance exam to disguise himself as a real [Vector Manipulation] ability user.

As a superpowered individual with abilities similar to Lv.5, as long as he can maintain this ability through the college entrance examination, he will definitely be able to get a high score in the ability test!
Even with a minimum guarantee, you can still get an A rating... and even an S rating is not impossible.

At that time, the three prestigious universities that Ron could never have access to before will truly open their doors to him...

He could use this opportunity to postpone his student loan, temporarily escape the clutches of the giant corporation, and scientifically improve his abilities by relying on the resources of the three universities.
Ultimately, this will change my life!
However, although all of this seems simple,
However, there is a significant challenge involved.

That is... how exactly should we support this ability to pass the ability test during the college entrance examination?
As things stand, Ron's computing power and personal physical strength are far from sufficient to support [Vector Manipulation].

However, after just a simple test, it didn't even last half a minute before his computing power was overloaded...

At that time, during the ability test, which will last at least ten minutes, Ron will have absolutely no chance of passing.

...So, there's only one last option left.

Ron hesitated for a moment, but then activated his personal brain-computer interface.

[Your Moen Bank account has received 10,000 credits. Purpose of payment: Student loan.]

The last ten thousand yuan...

If I fail to get into one of the three top universities, and my student loan is used up to the limit, what will the giant company do with me?
Slice studies, human experiments... or being sent to a branch office in an Arctic city to dig potatoes?
It feels no different from being caught by the patrol bureau...

"Take this tutoring class; this is my last loan amount!"

Muttering to himself, Ron painfully opened the tutoring website and handed over all the student loans he had just received.

Putting money into tutoring classes is the most classic investment that people in Ideal City, accustomed to the intense competition of the job market, make for themselves.

Wealthy people can easily upgrade their skills by spending money to access the laboratories of giant corporations.

Poor people can only go to virtual reality ability training centers and find coaches there to learn how to train their superpowers.

Even if you train yourself to the point of being extremely sharp, you'll only barely raise your ability level by one level...

If you have money, rely on technology; if you don't, rely on hard work.

It's always been like this.

Ron did a quick calculation: 10,000 credits would be enough for him to train hard in the training hall for half a month.

In another two weeks, it will be the time for the college entrance examination...

Half a month is enough!
Endure hardship now, strive for a brighter future!
As a poor student, Ron's special talent was his ability to endure hardship.

Especially when there are clear benefits to be seen.

After all, the ability of [Vector Manipulation] has already made up for his shortcomings.

What he lacked wasn't computing power. As a prodigy with Lv.2 computing power, once he made up for his shortcomings, he would be qualified to soar to great heights.

Even a crippled, battle-damaged version of [Vector Manipulation] is a hundred times stronger than any [Telekinesis].

Furthermore, if, through rigorous training in the training hall, one could successfully extend their personal reality to Level 2 using their Level 2 computing power…

At that point, it won't be a question of whether he wants to attend one of the three top universities.

The admissions offices of the three major universities could practically break down the threshold of his small apartment!

Even An Hui didn't receive such treatment.

This is truly... something to look forward to.

A smile crept onto Ron's lips when a ringtone suddenly sounded in his ear.

He picked up his phone, and the caller ID displayed...

"Huihui".

Ron was slightly taken aback.

Said Cao Cao, Cao Cao.

Why would An Hui call at this time?

Ron answered the phone: "What's up?"

"Did the old man sign the admission agreement he gave you?"

"How could I possibly sign that... Are you out of your mind?"

Ron joked, "If I graduate from college and become a cog in a giant corporation, you'll be coming to the crematorium to find me in a few years."

I want to live for another two years..."

Why do you always say such unlucky things?

An Hui was somewhat speechless, and finally got down to business:

"I knew you didn't want to go to a junior college, but if you don't get into one of the top three universities, they'll start collecting your student loans... Have you thought about what to do?"

Would you believe me if I said I was already prepared to be admitted to one of the three top universities?
Ron thought to himself, but didn't say it aloud, and honestly replied:

“Not really.”

“I knew you wouldn’t be able to do it.” An Hui said in a tone that suggested she had known all along. “Let’s have dinner together tomorrow night, and I’ll try to think of a way for you… Maybe you can pay off the giant company’s loan while you continue your studies.”

As Ron listened to An Hui's careful planning for him, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

In this new world where he has no relatives or friends, only An Hui cares about his future life.

He smiled knowingly: "Sure... but I don't have any money, so you'll have to treat me to the meal."

"Do you think I'd expect a penniless wretch like you to spend money?" Even through the phone, An Hui's helplessness was palpable. "I'll send you the address tomorrow night at eight... If you don't come, you're a dog!"

As she spoke, she suddenly changed the subject, her tone becoming serious.

"By the way, there's something you need to pay attention to."

Her voice was very serious, which made Ron immediately stop smiling.

"what happened?"

"I only found out from the news today that there seems to be a murderer in your neighborhood... The wanted poster has even been put up at the gate of our school."

It's said that the murderer was exceptionally ruthless, using superpowers to kill a passing old scavenger and then reducing his bones to ashes... His cruelty was utterly appalling!

She spoke, her voice timid:
"Be careful when you go out tomorrow, avoid those alleyways, and take the main roads..."

“A…” Ron paused, “A wanted criminal?”

An old scavenger? His bones were crushed and scattered to ashes? Cruel to the point of being appalling?
Who are you talking about?

(End of this chapter)